INTERNATIONAL ECOCITY FRAMEWORK AND STANDARDS

An initiative of Ecocity Builders and the International Ecocity Advisory Committee

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© 2011 Ecocity Builders

Ecocity Builders 339 15th Street, Suite 208 Oakland California, USA 94612 http://www.ecocitybuilders.org ecocity@igc.org 1-510-452-9522

IEFS Lead Sponsor: British Columbia Institute of Technology – School of Construction and the Environment

Supporters: The Helen and William Mazer Foundation, Columbia Foundation, Novatek, HealthBridge Canada

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Introduction Why is creating ecological cities important? It is widely acknowledged that urbanization presents one of the most urgent challenges of the 21st century. The majority of the world’s population now lives in cities. As they are currently built and operated, these centers are a growing drain on the earth’s living systems and are the major source of greenhouse gases and other urban conditions impacting climate change. Cities, towns and villages must act swiftly and decisively to become more energy and resource efficient, more self-reliant in meeting their needs, less polluting and increasingly sustainable if we are to create conditions for a healthy and enduring human civilization on Earth. To date, the negative impacts of cities on the environment have been profound. Cities can and must be re-designed to build soils,

restore biodiversity and return the climate to dynamic stability — becoming net positive contributors to nature as well as to human culture. The ecocity approach to sustainable development seeks to maximize the possibility that cities can sustainably meet a majority of their needs from the natural capital of their own bioregions. The first wave of ecocity-like initiatives emerged in the wake of the United Nations ‘Earth Summit’ held in Rio de Janerio in 1992 following the launch of the sustainable development program ‘Agenda 21’. Today, “ecocity” projects have effectively gone mainstream, with dozens of cities around the world currently developing integrated urban planning and management programs that address social and ecological health. However, there has yet to be a

concerted attempt to develop international standards to address the fundamentals of ecocity development and the urban condition from both a local and global, whole systems perspective.i To understand cities in their wholeness and full potential is a perspective that can be served powerfully by International Ecocity Standards. Towards this goal, the International Ecocity Framework and Standards (IEFS) initiative, launched in February 2010, is currently under development by United Nations-accredited nonprofit Ecocity Builders and an international committee of expert advisors. The IEFS seeks to provide an innovative vision for an ecologically-restorative human civilization as well as a practical methodology for assessing and guiding the achievement of such vision through the lens of the Ecocity. This work is predicated on over thirty years of research and concept development by ecocity thought leaders and practitioners from around the world.

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THE ECOCITY FRAMEWORKDesigned for a wide range of users, the Ecocity Framework charts a city’s steps forward — from existing conditions to "threshold" Ecocity status and beyond. The Framework helps people see how their city is doing on a range of important measures, charted from “unhealthy” through multiple levels of “greener city,” “Ecocity”, and the whole earth level, “Gaia”. The Ecocity Framework includes 1 primary ecocity urban design feature (access by proximity), 6 bio-geo-physical conditions of a healthy urban system (clean air, clean and renewable energy, nutritious and available

food, responsibly managed resources and materials, healthy soil, and clean and available water), 3 ecological imperatives (healthy biodiversity, carrying capacity, and ecological integrity) and 5 socio-cultural dimensions for a healthy population (healthy culture, community capacity, lifelong education, healthy and sustainable economy and well-being). Since all measures are important, a city will only reach Ecocity status when it achieves an “Ecocity” or higher designation in all categories.

Informed and guided by the Ecocity Framework, cities and citizens can move toward greater urban ecosystem health and sustainability by working at various levels from neighborhood to region — developing ecocity zoning and redevelopment plans to reshape cities towards greater energy and land efficient mixed-use centers, designing neighborhoods for improved form and function, creating specific action plans, or grappling with city, regional or country-wide programs that address broader policy and structural (i.e. educational, economic) impediments to creating Ecocities.

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IEFS DEVELOPMENT IEFS development was launched in Vancouver Canada in 2010 as an iterative process of gradual refinement. A Core Committee is steering the development of the Framework based on input from a group of international advisers. The draft Ecocity Framework will be refined at workshops at the Montreal Ecocity Summit in August of 2011 and feedback from that event in addition to the results from the Early Partner Cities Program will assist the Core Committee in its goal of finalizing the beta version of the framework for official launch in 2012. We expect that the IEFS will be useful for a wide range of users, including local government and regional agencies, larger organizations such as the United Nations, and entities in charge of development strategies including transportation, land use, housing, watershed management, agriculture, resource management, and other regional development goals. The IEFS is designed to be an iterative process and is composed of the following elements: 1. principles; 2. standards and levels of attainment; 3. definitions; 4.

certification process; and 5. outreach and feedback solicitation. 1. Principles The IEFS advisors have created an early draft of ecocity principles. Currently this list is used as a sounding board for the development of the standards. The list will be refined over time to encapsulate the ethos of IEFS. Draft principle topics include: whole system design, resiliency and self-reliance, interdependence, diversity and adaptability, efficiency and access, equity, nonviolence, and limits to growth. 2. Standards and levels of attainment The IEFS effort is aimed at providing tools for assessing the level of Ecocity development of current human settlements and a clear path for reshaping them towards deeper and more comprehensive levels of health and sustainability. Like other systems, IEFS proposes various levels of attainment. The highest level, (Gaia or “whole earth”) describes a city that

is in harmony socially and biophysically with its surrounding region and globally. If all human settlements were to meet such standards, humanity would have achieved an environmentally sustainable and restorative, socially and environmentally just, culturally fulfilling human presence on Earth. For most human settlements, attainment of the highest-level status will be a significant challenge requiring major cultural and social changes. It may take several decades to fully achieve the highest level. We will know when we are at Gaia or “whole earth” level of attainment when cities are in fact building soils, restoring natural biodiversity and contributing to dynamic climate stability by attaining more greenhouse gas absorption than production, not just mitigating damage or adapting to a deteriorating condition.

The mid levels of attainment provide a practical guide to a gradual transition to the top level. Lower level evaluations will provide sensible and direct guidance for urban design and policies starting out on the path towards more comprehensive ecocity strategic planning and development. The IEFS is currently focusing on “Ecocity 1” conditions and corresponding threshold indicators that will define the ecological city and set the threshold for what an ecocity is and is not based on systems science and ecocity urban design principles. The IEFS is committed to harmonizing IEFS standards with all other efforts that are aligned with its values and theoretical framework, and will seek to incorporate the best of what is already under development by other organizations and initiatives. Once developed, we intend to make IEFS available as broadly as possible. 3. Definitions – Systems Hierarchy The IEFS platform adopts a systems point of view: not only is the built environment one of the elements of that system, but so also are the humans living there, the other species sharing the same bioregion, the resources and assimilative capacity of the region, as well as human agency through lifestyle choices, work and investments. The development of the IEFS as an integrated sustainability framework reflects a whole systems approach to the visioning, design, and planning of the Ecocity in relationship to its Ecological Metropolis, Bio-Region, and Ecocity Network.

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Ecocity Systems Hierarchy – Terms: Ecocity: An Ecocity is a human settlement modeled on the self-sustaining resilient structure and function of natural ecosystems. The Ecocity seeks to provide healthy abundance to its inhabitants without consuming more renewable resources than it

replaces in its bioregion. It seeks to function without producing more waste than it can assimilate or recycle for new uses or than nature can dilute and absorb harmlessly, and without being toxic to itself or neighboring ecosystems. Its inhabitants’ ecological impacts reflect planetary fundamental principles of fairness, justice, reasonable equity and consensus at ample levels of happiness.ii Ecological Metropolis: An Ecological Metropolis, or "Ecopolis" is a cluster of Eco-cities, towns and villages with open spaces between, which include waterways from large to very small streams, natural environments and agricultural and forest lands immediately adjacent, connected by public transit and bike-ped greenways.

Eco-Region or Bio-Region: An Ecological Metropolis occupies a portion of an even larger area, the Bio-Region or Eco-Region, which surrounds clusters of cities, towns and villages and their close-in open agricultural and natural environments and is characterized by a relatively consistent climate and population of species, often bordered by mountain ridges and/or or edges of water bodies. Ecocity Network: A typical Ecocity functions within an Ecocity Network -- a regional and/or global urban super system within which Ecocity development is an adaptive process that supports the cultivation of localized urban strategies to best promote and advance the mechanism, institution, technology and culture for global sustainability according to ecological, economic and cultural principles.

Ecocity Urban Design Features: Various ecocity design features are entering into the mix as more and more cities begin exploring approaches to attain conditions of energy conservation, restored biodiversity, and pedestrian access to the offerings of the city. The existence of these helpful built precedents begins to form a guide that quickens the understanding and pace of change in ecocity directions. Such features include but are not limited to: • accessible rooftop and terrace gardens, shops and other facilities • attached solar greenhouses and green walls, • car-free areas and streets, features for high pedestrian permeability • small blocks or mid-block pedestrian alleys, sky-lit hallways and gallerias, • bridges linking buildings above ground level, • plazas with natural features like creeks or with views celebrating nature, • linkages of rail, bicycle and foot paths

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4. Certification Process The IEFS will establish levels of Ecocity certification at scales from the neighborhood to the region that chart a course towards increased urban sustainability in a manner that is synergistic with other living species and natural systems. We are developing a classification of urban elements (UE) and a classification of areas under various levels of governance and are planning to provide IEFS certification for district/ward (UE1), city (G1), county/sub province (G2) and metropolitan area (G3) with our initial focus on G1 (city level governance area). Levels of certification will allow for a manageable progression from a city, town or village’s current situation to Ecocity conditions. 5. Outreach and Feedback Solicitation – Early Partner Cities At each step of the process, the IEFS will continue to solicit feedback from key stakeholder groups, cities, experts, and interested parties. To date, we have received feedback through targeted workshops and symposiums, online surveys, in person interviews, and many ongoing conversations

with interested and committed partners since we launched the project in 2010. While cities clearly differ from each other, they also share basic conditions and requirements, e.g., we all need clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, healthy soil in which to grow food, renewable resources to build with, education, employment and a chance at a happy and productive life. To ensure that IEFS certification is relevant to the many types of human settlements around the world and their individual needs, we are inviting Early Partner Cities from different geographical and social contexts to join us in our efforts to build an effective and flexible Framework. In particular, Early Partner Cities will vary along the following dimensions: • Population • Density • Latitude • Climate • Ethnic diversity • Primary economic driver • National (or city) ecological footprint • Wealth distribution • Remoteness

Once a city has made the decision to accept the invitation to join the IEFS Early Partner City Program, we will send the Partner City an online survey to help us assess the availability of information to evaluate current conditions in the Partner City as they pertain to the Ecocity Framework. We will be looking for information on data sources, availability of data and type of data, quantitative measures, plus policy documents and strategic plans and other qualitative information that might be available. An Ecocity Profile will be created for each Early Partner City. The profile will describe the city’s unique situation based on their geographical and social dimensions and current conditions that pertain to the Ecocity Framework. Partner City Profiles will be accessible to each Early Partner City and the participation of Early Partner Cities will be highlighted in IEFS materials and presentations.

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ECOCITY 1 CONDITIONS A city meeting the following conditions will have achieved “ecocity” status. ECOCITY URBAN DESIGN FEATURE

ACCESS BY PROXIMITY The city provides the majority of its residents with walkable access from housing to basic urban services. It also provides walking and transit access to close-by employment options. ECOCITY BIO-GEO-PHYSICAL CONDITIONS

CLEAN AIR The city maintains a level of air quality that is conducive to good health within buildings, the city’s air shed, and the atmosphere. HEALTHY SOIL Soils within the city and soils associated with the city's economy, function and operations meet their ranges of healthy ecosystem functions as appropriate to their types and environments; fertility is maintained or improved. CLEAN AND SAFE WATER All residents are ensured access to clean, safe, affordable water; the city’s water sources, waterways and water bodies are healthy and function without negative impact to ecosystems. Water consumed is primarily sourced from within the bioregion. RESPONSIBLE RESOURCES/MATERIALS The city's non-food and non-energy renewable and non-renewable resources are sourced, allocated, managed and recycled responsibly and equitably, and without adversely affecting human health or the resilience of ecosystems. Resources/Materials are primarily sourced from within the bioregion.

CLEAN AND RENEWABLE ENERGY The city's energy needs are provided for, and extracted, generated and consumed, without significant negative impact to ecosystems or to short- or long-term human health and do not exacerbate climate change. Energy consumed is primarily generated within the local bioregion. HEALTHY AND ACCESSIBLE FOOD Nutritious food is accessible and affordable to all residents and is grown, manufactured and distributed by processes which maintain the healthy function of ecosystems and do not exacerbate climate change. Food consumed is primarily grown within the local bioregion. ECOLOGICAL IMPERATIVES HEALTHY BIODIVERSITY The city sustains the biodiversity of local, bioregional and global ecosystems including species diversity, ecosystem diversity and genetic diversity; it restores natural habitat and biodiversity by its policy and physical actions. EARTH’S CARRYING CAPACITY The city keeps its demand on ecosystems within the limits of the Earth’s bio-capacity, converting resources restoratively and supporting regional ecological integrity. ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY The city maintains essential linkages within and between ecosystems and provides contiguous habitat areas and ecological corridors throughout the city.

ECOCITY SOCIO-CULTURAL FEATURES

HEALTHY CULTURE The city facilitates cultural activities that strengthen eco-literacy, patterns of human knowledge and creative expression, and develop symbolic thought and social learning. COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDING The city supports full and equitable community participation in decision making processes and provides the legal, physical and organizational support for neighborhoods, community organizations, institutions and agencies to enhance their capacities. HEALTHY AND EQUITABLE ECONOMY The city's economy consistently favors economic activities that reduce harm and positively benefit the environment and human health and support a high level of local and equitable employment options that are integrated into the ecocity's proximity based layout and policy framework – the foundation for “green jobs” and “ecological development.”

LIFELONG EDUCATION All residents have access to lifelong education including access to information about the city’s history of place, culture, ecology, and tradition provided through formal and informal education, vocational training and other social institutions. WELL BEING – QUALITY OF LIFE Citizens report strong satisfaction with quality of life indicators including employment; the built, natural and landscaped environment; physical and mental health; education; safety; recreation and leisure time; and social belonging.

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ECOCITY STANDARDS AND INDICATORS METHODOLOGY “Ecocity 1” (highlighted in bright green in the Framework) will set the threshold “ecocity” measure for each feature, imperative or condition. The percentage by which a city performs below or above Ecocity 1 (the ecocity threshold) will determine where it falls within the Framework continuum (e.g. “unhealthy”, “greener city” or “ecocity” to “Gaia”) for each feature, imperative or condition. For example, a city might have attained “Ecocity 2” for Biodiversity and “Greener City 1” for Food. Since the Framework’s features, imperatives and conditions describe multiple measures, (e.g. Air Quality includes measures of indoor air quality, outdoor air quality, city air-shed health, green house gasses, and respiratory health) a Composite Indicator (CI)iii will be developed for each. Indicators will be selected according to their reliability and relevance. In some cases, the use of proxy variables will need to be considered if data are not available.

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A STEP–WISE PROCESS OF ENGAGEMENT Alongside the Framework and Indicators, the IEFS is developing a voluntary step-wise process of engagement to assist cities and citizens on the path towards ecocity development. This process, existing independently and in parallel to the IEFS certification process, is available to cities wanting additional guidance and support in developing a customized action plan that will help them accelerate the transition to greater ecological and social sustainability. The IEFS step-wise process of engagement is not a requirement for ecocity certification. It is recommended however as a means to accelerate progress towards ecocity conditions for cities seeking additional

support and guidance within a network of other cities also embarking upon the process. If a city can provide evidence to evaluate its status as it pertains to the Ecoctiy Framework’s 15 ecocity conditions, it can assess where it overlays on the framework continuum. From there, the city can create its own plan for working towards increasing ecocity performance, drawing from existing plans and methods, or creating new programs and partnerships to help it move forward. If the city cannot provide documentation or equivalent information regarding the Framework’s conditions and does not currently have a preferred plan or method of engagement, the city can follow the IEFS step-wise process that will help the city address existing circumstances and provide an evaluation and a recommended set of actions to start moving along the path toward “ecocity” conditions.

Developers, environmental nonprofits, think tanks, educational institutions and community groups can use the IEFS step-wise process for developing and evaluating proposals and seeking development approvals. Community-based, advocacy, and watchdog organizations can use the process to weigh in on development proposals and plans and political processes. Ultimately the IEFS step-wise process should be useful for any individual, organization, city or partnership looking to build awareness around complex issues within the nexus of humanity, nature, and the built environment.

Ecocity Builders meets with Nepali team members in Kirtipur, Nepal

IEFS “Experts Consultation” Vancouver, 2009

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LOCAL RESILIENCY – GLOBAL COOPERATION As impacts from global climate change and related environmental and social pressures increase, cities need to develop strategies to increase resiliency. Cities that can meet most of their needs from their local bioregions will have a greater chance at long-term health in the face of outside pressures from climate change, political instability and other situations. There are many cities around the world already working on ecocity-like projects and actions plans. Some cities have well-established track records of early innovation and success, and have been instrumental in helping other cities learn from their experiences.

One well-known early innovator is Curitiba, Brazil. In the 1970s, under the leadership of then Mayor Jaime Lerner, Curitiba implemented a master plan that transformed the city and positioned it as a world leader in ecocity innovation and creative solutions. Unable to afford a metro system, the city designed a city-wide integrated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) program that operated in partnership with private bus companies, a move that saved the Curitiba millions and effectively got people out of cars and onto mass transit. Major land use programs were initiated to relocate squatters from dangerous flood prone areas into affordable housing and job training programs. The former squatter camps were transformed into parks and green spaces for the public’s enjoyment. A large car free area was created in the city center. Residents embraced these and other changes, and today the city is well known as a place for other cities to visit to learn about creative pathways to sustainable innovation and social justice.

Another example of a city working towards greater ecological health is Freiburg Germany. In 1986, Freiburg adopted a master plan that locked in a firm urban growth boundary and created conditions for rapid adoption of sustainable technologies, in particular solar energy, energy efficiency policies and programs, and highly effective mass transit systems. Since adopting the plan, Frieburg has dramatically reduced its CO2 emissions, increased public transit use by 100 percent and enabled 35 percent of residents to give up car ownership completely.iv

Curitiba, Brazil, 4th International Ecocity Conference, 2000

Freiburg, Germany – residential solar energy

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Other cities have started the transformation towards greater sustainability more recently but are setting ambitious goals and making progress. One such example is the city of Vancouver, Canada. Building upon earlier foundations for more ecologically sensitive land use and transportation planning, in 2008 Vancouver adopted an ‘EcoDensity

Charter’v that set the city on a course towards increased sustainability, affordability and livability. The city has gone on to adopt related actions plans and initiatives, including the recent “Greenest City 2020” initiative whereby the city is setting out to become the “greenest” city in the world by 2020. Embracing higher density development and creating conditions for comfortable “in-city” living are some of Vancouver’s hallmarks. It is important to point out that ecocity development is not intended or meant solely for well-developed or wealthier cities. In fact, cities closer to a pre industrial condition are ideal candidates for ecological development that “leapfrogs” 20th century energy and land-hogging “hard path”vi

development practices and straightaway adopts greener and cleaner technologies and strategies. For example, Nepalese NGOs, neighborhood organizations, businesses,

local government and regional institutions have been working with nonprofit Ecocity Builders to develop a “Living City”viiplan for the Kathmandu Valley based on the International Living Future Institute’s “Living Building Challenge” imperatives.viii Through this plan and other similar initiatives, Kathmandu is looking to adopt new and appropriate technologies which place smaller "soft path" solutions in the hands of communities--solar, wind, geothermal, micro-hydro and biomass are just a few of the innovations that can scale to changing needs. The challenge for this city and those like it is to develop strategies for local self-reliance while improving social and cultural conditions.

Vancouver, Canada – new high density residential/mixed use

Kathmandu, Nepal

Cities and ecosystems are systemically interrelated

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CONCLUSION Humanity is running up against the limits of a finite planet. We are experiencing rapid global climate destabilization and the endangerment of entire ecosystems. These life-threatening global environmental problems demand a restructuring of cities, towns, and villages worldwide for long-term energy efficiency and conservation. The International Ecocity Framework and Standards initiative is seeking to support and amplify all efforts towards greater ecological and social health. We want to unite people around a way of living on the planet that provides the best possible cities for people to live in while enhancing, not destroying, the biosphere. The ecocity approach does not depend on inventing new technology, finding new sources of money, or coming up with new theories. A better way is already within our reach. We already have many examples of successful implementation of Ecocity principles around the world.

What is needed is an integrated systemic approach and strategy that prioritizes actions, coordinates efforts and condenses it all into a single framework. Next steps for the IEFS include the further development and refinement of the beta version of the standards, further development of the step-wise process of engagement, and testing the IEFS in a variety of cities through the Early Partner Cities program. We will be presenting our work to date at the upcoming Ecocity World Summit 2011ix in Montreal Canada in August, where we will solicit further input and feedback from the workshop participants. We will also be showcasing the IEFS at the upcoming Gaining Ground Summitx in Vancouver, BC, Canada, in October 2011.

To request more information about the IEFS, please contact Ecocity Builders’ Executive Director and IEFS Lead Facilitator Kirstin Miller at kirstin@ecocitybuilders.org or visit http://www.ecocitybuilders.org/what-we-do/ecocity-standards/

Photo credit: Q. T. Luong

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IEFS CORE ADVISORS

To date, the IEFS is being shaped by a diverse group including representatives, employees and associates of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Manchester, British Columbia Institute of Technology, University of British Columbia, University of California at Berkeley, University of Montreal, Simon Fraser University, McGill University, Tribhuvan University, The Ecological Society of China, Ecocity Builders, Urban Ecology Montreal, The One Earth Initiative, HealthBridge, Urban Resource Systems, Novatek, The Helen and William Mazer Foundation, Ecopolis Architects, and Wayne State University. Core Committee

• Kirstin Miller, Executive Director, Ecocity Builders, Lead Facilitator, IEFS

• William Rees, Professor, School of Community and Regional Planning, University of British Columbia (UBC)

• Rusong Wang, President, Ecological Society of China, Bejing, China • Ray Tomalty, Principal, Smart Cities Research Service & Adjunct

Professor, School of Urban Planning, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

• Marco Vangelisti, Ecocity Builders, Slow Money Alliance

• Jennie Moore, British Columbia Institute of Technology, School of Construction and the Environment

• Richard Register, President, Ecocity Builders, Oakland, CA • Paul Downton, Ecopolis Architects, Adelaide, Australia • Charlene Easton, M.E.S., Advisor, Sustainability, C Easton and

Associates • Vanessa Timmer, Co-founder and Director, One Earth Initiative • Debra Efroymson, HealthBridge, Dhaka, Bangladesh • Sudarshan Tiwari, Architect and City Historian, Kathmandu, Nepal • Isabel Wade, Ph.D., Urban Resource Systems • Richard Smith, Wayne State University

Expert Advisors include: • Mathis Wackernagel, President, Global Footprint Network, Oakland,

California, USA • Bill McKibben, 350.org • Peter Gleick, President, Pacific Institute, Member, U.S. National

Academy of Sciences, MacArthur Fellow • Janet Larsen, Director of Research, Earth Policy Institute,

Washington, DC, USA • Warren Karlenzig, President, Common Current & Strategic Advisor,

the Institute for Strategic Resilience, Shanghai-San Francisco, San Francisco Bay Area, USA

• Sudarshan Raj Tiwari, Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuwan University, Lalitpur, Nepal

• Ian Douglas, Emeritus Professor, School of Environment and Development, University of Manchester, Manchester, England, President, Society for Human Ecology

• Jeffrey Heller, FAIA, President, Heller Manus Architects, San Francisco, CA, US

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END NOTES i Annissa Alusi, Robert G. Eccles, Amy C. Edmondson, and Tiona Zuzul. “Sustainable Cities: Oxymoron or the Shape of the Future?” Harvard Business School. March 20, 2011 ii Working definition adopted by Ecocity Builders and the International Ecocity Standards advisory team, 2/20/10, Vancouver, Canada.

iii OECD and JRC European Commission, “Handbook on Constructing Composite Indicators”, Methodology and User Guide”. 2008. iv Simon Joss. “Eco-Cities — A Global Survey 2009” University of Westminster, 2010. www.westminster.ac.uk/ecocities v City of Vancouver. “EcoDensity – Vancouver Ecodensity Charter” Adopted June 10, 2008. www.vancouver.ca/commsvcs/ecocity/ vi Amory Lovins. “Energy Strategy: The Road Not Taken”, Foreign Affairs. October 1976. vii Ecocity Builders: www.ecocitybuilders.org/nepal viii International Living Future Institute: http://ilbi.org ix Ecocity World Summit 2011: http://www.ecocity2011.com x Gaining Ground Summitt: http://www.gaininggroundsummit.com